Difficulties to Gender Mainstreaming at a Higher Education Institution

Abstract

Previous research shows that there are resistances to gender-mainstreaming in Higher Education Institutions. This qualitative study examines representations of the gender perspective of seven women and seven men authorities at a public university in Mexico, as well as their dispositions to mainstream, or incorporate the gender perspective in their institution. This is a case study in which, through semi-structured interviews, it was found that most of them have poor knowledge of the gender perspective and none has a historical understanding of which groups have been promoting public policies on gender equity. Although public policy indicates that the gender perspective must be present, some participants reported that in practice there are resistances on the part of authorities, researchers and teachers within the institution. There was little interest in gender mainstreaming in the curriculum. As a result, it is recommended that gender-mainstreaming programs provide a historical overview of the progress made in equity policies as well as the different academic approaches on the subject.